The Limca Book of Records title of First
Father and Son Books Launch was awarded to Kishore Shah and his son Aumkar for
their respective books, ‘364 Days of Transformation’ and ‘The Magical Newspaper
and Other Stories’. Both books were launched on March 8, 2014 and were
published by Broadway Publishing House, Goa. While Kishore’s book is
non-fiction, Aumkar’s is a work of fiction dedicated to his school, Sharada
Mandir in Miramar, Goa.
“GCCI hosted the maiden launch of both books and I didn’t have to bear any expenses. It is astonishing that a small place like Panjim has so many great people who are underestimated for their efforts, when in actuality, it is their work that is putting Goa on the map. I am grateful for their help, says Kishore Shah, who was recently presented the Business Writer of the Year award at the Business Goa Corporate Excellence Awards.
Amrut Gaitonde is the owner of Moving Ants, an advertising agency that helped Kishore and Aumkar reach out to a wider audience through his POP designing, illustrations and pictures. “I am very happy to know that the books were awarded the Limca Book of Records award. My photographs were also selected and printed in the book ‘364 Days of Transformation’. Kishore is a very humble man and at a time when he could steal the limelight, he gave credit to everyone who helped him with the release of the books,” says Amrut, who has been in the advertising industry for the past seven years.
Dr Hemangini Shah, wife of Kishore and mother of Aumkar, was responsible for editing the works of her husband and son. She also helped Aumkar with creating the crosswords at the end of every chapter. “Editing the books was difficult but enjoyable. I had to change a few things without changing the idea they had in mind. I had to continuously discuss with them their thought process and intentions behind some of the writing. Kishore’s book was on the concept of management and involved in depth thinking on the ideas while on the other hand, Aumkar’s book was creative and imaginative,” says Dr Hemangini.
Khalil Ahmed of Broadway Publishing House is the publisher and distributor of the books. This is the first time in his career of 15 years as a publisher that he has been associated with the Limca Book of Records. “This is a great honour as a publisher. I found the idea of a father-son duo publishing and releasing their books on the same day very interesting. The books are very good and since the award, the sales too have picked up,” says Khalil, who was recently awarded Best Publisher by Business Goa.
Rama Harmalkar from Bicholim has been in the printing industry for 20 years and has seen four books make it to the Limca Book of Records. “I do the page formatting for the pre press setting which includes paging and proofing. I met Kishore through Khalil as I do most of Broadway’s pre press work,” says Rama. Interestingly, Rama prints a vast genre of books through his store at the Panjim Municipal Market.
Harshvardhan Bhatkuly, Editor of Business Goa helped Kishore by introducing him to Govit Morajkar who works for the magazine and designed the cover page for the father-son duo, his first design for books. “A cover design is very important to attract readers and Govit did a perfect job,” concludes Kishore.